Wondering how to get WhatsApp Business API? You are in the right place. Even though jumping into a WhatsApp API integration can feel daunting, it’s actually easy if you follow the proper guidelines. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to get WhatsApp API for your business quickly and hassle-free. Plus, we’ll help you figure out the next steps after getting a WhatsApp Business API integration.
WhatsApp API Integration: An Introduction
WhatsApp Business API – also known as WhatsApp Business Platform – is designed for businesses that need multiple-user access to the platform and advanced messaging capabilities at scale. It is the practical next step for companies outgrowing the free WhatsApp Business App.
Upgrading to WhatsApp Business API comes with certain costs, including:
That last part is key because Meta doesn’t provide a built-in interface for WhatsApp Business API. To actually use it, you’ll need a messaging inbox like respond.io to manage your conversations and customer interactions.
For businesses looking to scale, these costs are far outweighed by the benefits. Integrating WhatsApp API with a messaging inbox, customer conversation software, or WhatsApp CRM allows you to centralize customer data and conversations while leveraging advanced automation for maximum efficiency.
So, can just any business get WhatsApp API? Not quite. Before application, businesses must ensure they are eligible under the WhatsApp Commerce Policy. For instance, WhatsApp doesn’t allow medical and healthcare products to be sold on the platform.
Now that you’re aware of the requirements, how do you get started with WhatsApp API?
Choosing the Best BSP for WhatsApp API Access
A BSP (Business Solution Provider) is an official WhatsApp partner that connects businesses to the WhatsApp Business API and provides the infrastructure, tools and support needed to use it.
There are plenty of BSPs available, including respond.io, an official Meta partner that makes setup easy. With respond.io, you can get started with the WhatsApp API in under 10 minutes.
Why Choose Respond.io as Your WhatsApp Business API Inbox?
When selecting a BSP for WhatsApp API, it’s important to remember they’re not all created equal. Getting WhatsApp Business API through respond.io comes with several key advantages, including:
No extra charges for setup, hosting, or messages: You only pay Meta’s conversation fees on top of respond.io’s monthly plan. Use our pricing calculator to estimate your costs.
WhatsApp Business account management: Manage your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) effortlessly on respond.io. For instance, you can create and submit message templates for approval and oversee your WABA balance through the specialized WhatsApp Fees Module.
Badged Meta Business Partner recognition: Respond.io has undergone Meta's assessment for proficiency in Meta products like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM.
Enhanced support: As a Meta Business Partner, respond.io receives enhanced support from Meta. This contributes to an elevated level of service for respond.io users.
Ready to get started? Here’s how to set up WhatsApp API with respond.io.
WhatsApp API Integration the Easy Way: How to Get WhatsApp API Account with Respond.io
To get started, sign up for a respond.io account. You can try respond.io for free and later subscribe to a plan that suits your business needs. To make things easier, we have compiled all useful information in this blog to help you get your WhatsApp API.
There are four steps in getting a WhatsApp API Account.
Step 1: Port or Buy a Phone Number
You need a phone number to set up your WhatsApp Business API account. You may port an existing number if it can receive calls or SMS—just make sure it’s not linked to any WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business App, or WhatsApp API accounts. Alternatively, you can get a free virtual number from Meta for your WhatsApp API setup.
To use a phone number tied to an existing WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App account, you’ll first have to delete that account.
Note: Using a phone number tied to an existing WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App account will result in a permanent loss of existing contacts and messages.
Step 2: Connect Your Facebook Account
Once you have a phone number and a respond.io account, it’s time to set up respond.io WhatsApp API integration. Click this link and select Create and connect a NEW WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account. Then, click Get Started.
Go through the eligibility checks and click the Connect with Facebook button as you’ll need to log into your Facebook account to proceed.
Click Get Started to connect your WhatsApp Business API account to respond.io.
Doing so will give respond.io permission to manage your WhatsApp Business account and handle billing. This also means you agree to the WhatsApp Business Terms of Service and the Meta Terms of Service.
Step 3: Connect Your WhatsApp Business API Account to Respond.io
Select your verified Meta Business account — now renamed Meta Business Portfolio. If you don’t have one yet, choose Create a business account and follow the instructions.
Note: If you are porting a WhatsApp number from one WhatsApp Business Account to another, select an existing business account.
Once done, choose Create a new WhatsApp Business profile and click Next. To create it, first provide all the necessary details about your business: A name for your WhatsApp Business account, a display name, a business category and your timezone. Business description and website are optional.
You are almost there! Now, all that's left is to verify your WhatsApp Business phone number. It’s pretty simple if you follow the instructions below.
Step 4: Verify your WhatsApp Business Phone Number
Add your WhatsApp Business phone number and choose a verification method. You can verify your phone number via text message or phone call, so ensure you have access to the number you used. Once you receive the verification code, enter it on the blank boxes and click Next.
Once your phone number is verified, click Finish. Finally, select the phone number you want to connect to and click Complete to finish the setup. And that’s it, you have successfully completed the signup process!
After completing your WhatsApp Business API integration, your business will get the unverified status. During this time, the WhatsApp Commerce Policy check will be automatically conducted in the background.
WhatsApp immediately blocks accounts that don’t comply with its policies. You can appeal this by submitting a support ticket to your WhatsApp BSP (Business Solution Provider). If you need more help during the process, consult respond.io’s Help Center.
Turn conversations into customers with respond.io's official WhatsApp API. ✨
Manage WhatsApp calls and chats in one place!
What Comes After Getting Whatsapp API
As an unverified business, you will be on the Limited Access Tier where you are limited to 250 business-initiated conversations in a rolling 24-hour period. This is problematic for companies that send a large number of business-initiated conversations.
For that reason, if you intend to broadcast WhatsApp messages or do WhatsApp marketing to a large audience, verify your business to upgrade to Tier 1, where you would be able to start business-initiated conversations with 1,000 unique customers in a rolling 24-hour period.
If that’s still not enough, don’t worry. Messaging limits can be expanded or even removed to meet the needs of larger businesses and enterprises.
After completing the Facebook Business verification process, WhatsApp will review the display names of all phone numbers associated with your account. For a successful verification, make sure that your business display name does not violate either the WhatsApp Business and Commerce Policies or the display name guidelines.
In addition, it might be worth learning the tips and tricks to have free conversations on WhatsApp API by getting customers to message you through free entry points.
Now that the setup is complete, let’s go through what makes respond.io the right choice for your business.
Quick Wins with WhatsApp API on Respond.io
Respond.io sets itself apart from other Business Solution Providers by being fundamentally designed for efficient communication across all channels. From calling or texting over WhatsApp, to chatting over Instagram DMs or SMS, respond.io does it all.
As an official Meta partner, we stay up to date with the latest WhatsApp features—along with all the powerful tools available across our platform. Here’s a look at what you can achieve with WhatsApp API on respond.io.
One Omnichannel Inbox for Every Customer, Every Channel
Respond.io understands that businesses rely on more than just WhatsApp to communicate, which is why we offer an omnichannel inbox that brings together all the popular messaging channels like TikTok, Messenger and Instagram all in one place.
Beyond a fully customizable inbox, you can also merge contacts to prevent duplicates and maintain complete conversation history across every channel.
Your CRM, Right Inside Respond.io
Respond.io doesn’t just unify your messaging channels. It also integrates with popular CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce, giving you direct access to your source of truth without leaving the platform. This ensures you always have the right customer information on hand during every conversation.
No more switching tabs, manual data entry, or worrying about outdated information. Just seamless, accurate context for every chat, call and follow-up. This means your team can focus on what matters most: building stronger relationships and closing more deals.
From First Touch to Repeat Business with Lifecycle
To drive conversions, it’s essential to engage customers at the right stage of their journey. That’s why respond.io offers Lifecycle, a feature that helps businesses identify and track customers as they move through the pipeline.
With the ability to view and update a customer’s status in just a few clicks, businesses can manage conversations more effectively and keep opportunities moving forward.
Scale with Automation and AI
Respond.io’s Workflows empower businesses to scale operations by automating repetitive tasks—whether it’s sending automatic replies, routing conversations to the right team, or enriching and qualifying leads.
AI Agents can be deployed to handle common inquiries, provide instant answers to FAQs, or offer basic support when your team is offline. By combining automation and AI, respond.io helps you deliver fast, consistent service—ensuring no message goes unanswered, no matter the time of day.
Say the Right Thing, Every Time with AI
Struggling to find the right words or translate messages into your customers’ language? Respond AI’s Prompts and Assist give your agents the support they need to communicate clearly, accurately, and confidently—helping them deliver their best work in every conversation.
Respond AI helps your team handle complex questions, rephrase messages for the right tone, and instantly translate conversations into your customers’ preferred language. With AI-powered guidance built into every chat, your agents can provide personalized, high-quality responses without slowing down.
Reports and Analytics: Measure, Manage, Optimize
The respond.io Reports Module provides a wealth of graphical representations, charts and leaderboards. Supervisors can utilize these tools to identify trends and areas for improvement, enhancing management and decision-making.
The results speak for themselves, and who better to tell the story than respond.io's customers? After switching to respond.io, Sleek gained 3x more qualified leads over WhatsApp. Sharwa, on its side, increased conversion rates on WhatsApp by 40%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get WhatsApp API for personal use?
While you technically could, it is a solution designed for medium and large-sized businesses. For personal use, the WhatsApp app is your best choice.
WhatsApp Business API is easily accessible and cost-effective if you apply through respond.io. Are you ready to market, sell and support at scale on WhatsApp? Try respond.io for free and get WhatsApp API today.
Is WhatsApp API free to use?
No, it’s not. You’ll need to pay WhatsApp’s conversation-based pricing charges and utilize a WhatsApp messaging inbox, with costs involved.
Do I need a WhatsApp API key to get WhatsApp API?
No, you don’t need it if you apply for a respond.io WhatsApp Business API. To learn more about all the prerequisites, visit our Help Center.
Can I integrate WhatsApp with respond.io without resetting my account?
Yes. You can integrate your existing WhatsApp Business account with respond.io without resetting your existing account.
Is it possible to use a landline number to receive the OTP for WhatsApp API setup?
Yes! You can use a landline number for the WhatsApp API setup as long as it can receive calls. During the verification process, choose the "Call me" option to receive the OTP via voice call to your landline.
Will I lose my chat history and contacts when first connecting to the WhatsApp API?
When first connecting to WhatsApp Business API, your existing chat history and contacts do not automatically transfer. It's advisable to back up your chat history before making the switch!
If I export contacts from my WhatsApp account and import them to respond.io, will all the chat history transfer as well?
No. Exporting contacts from WhatsApp and importing them into respond.io will transfer the contact information but not the chat history. Chat histories are not included in contact exports and must be backed up and transferred separately.
Further Reading
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